As the state’s record heat wave begins to abate, the California Department of Food and Agriculture wants farmers and ranchers to report their losses.

Over the course of the last several weeks the searing heat killed livestock and harmed crops across the state. After county agricultural commissioners collect reports, they will begin the process of applying for federal disaster aid where needed.

“There is a lot of anecdotal information about dairy and other livestock,” said Jay Van Rein, a spokesman for the Department of Food and Agriculture. “The hard numbers we are asking the operators to report will assist us in getting federal assistance for our farmers.”

Not all of the information will be readily available.

“In some cases it will be harvest time before we know the extent of the damage,” Van Rein said. “Tomatoes may look fine now, but when they get to the plant they may not be good enough to ship.”

As far as ranches and livestock at concerned, “I think we will have solid numbers quickly,” Van Rein said.